Strange behaviour

Question
QUESTION: Hi Angela,
It appears that we only correspond when there is a problem or a concern.  However, I do value your opinion.
My mother has a 5 year old female boxer.  Over the last 2 mos. or so she appears to have developed a strange behaviour...walks in circles, stands still and looks at the floor. (this occurs 2 or 3 times during the week)  Yesterday, however the dog let out a very sharp and long yelp, started trembling with heavy panting.
The dog was taken to the vets. and X-rays were taken of the spine and hip area and nothing showed up. (At this time the dog appears to have no problem walking or walking up and down stairs)
The vet put her on Medi-cam and suggested to watch her closely with very short walks.
The dog is not eating, therefore its difficult to administer the medication.
In my opinion the Medi-cam or pain killer only masks the problem?  Is there another option we should be looking at?
Perhaps the vet should be looking in the digestive area?
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Gary,

I would have the vet do a complete toxicology screen, is the dog on heartworm medicine? Is the dog around horses or cats ? If so tell the vet.I'd ask the vet to test liver function and check for parasites too. Finding a canine neurologist in your area would be my choice. Also I think this article will be of some value http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A%26A=1752
Let me hear from you again for an update please. Thank you for your question.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
http://www.hitowerboxers.com



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Angela,
Thanks for the quick response. In answer to your questions, no, the dog is not on heartworm medication.  (starts in May) This dog is a city dog and is not exposed to horses or cats for that matter.
X-rays and medication cost approx. $500 Would you have any idea on the cost do a complete toxicology screen or the cost of a canine neurologist?
My mother is on a Govn't pension and to be quite frank, $500 was a very expensive price to pay with no diagnosis!
I seem find that most Vets tend to be very indecisive. They will give you multiple possibilities none of which are in layman terms.  By the time you try to digest it all, the final invoice could be thousands of dollars and results in you being no further ahead. ( just venting!!)
Thanks again
Gary

ANSWER: Hi Gary,
I can feel your frustration and I know exactly what you mean. Can you get pet insurance in Canada ? If so its a wise investment and we love it here in the States. It can cover most all tests and expenses. It costs us an average of $11.00 a month per dog. I have no idea what the costs would be in Canada for a canine neurologist but I feel this may be the only way to get the answers you seek.It wouldn't hurt to call a couple clinics or even a veterinarian college and ask for a free consult. Can you have your mom feel all over the dog and let us know where the dog may show signs of discomfort at, neck, legs , back, abdomen, ears ,etc. Did the vet check her ears ?  Has the dog been vaccinated in the last 2 months ? What kind of flea treatment is she on ?Try to feed her some cooked chicken and rice to try an stimulate her to eat. Fluid intake is very important , as she could dehydrate before starving. Let her lick ice cubes if she want drink. Also could you look at this video on my website and let me know if this is similar to what the dog is doing ?
http://www.hitowerboxers.com/apps/videos/videos/show/7311345-boxer-head-tremors

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Angela,

Thanks for all the suggestions.  Unfortunately, transportation is a major issue with my mother.  She is 81 and is still very mobile, however she does not have access to a vehicle.
I am within a 2 hr drive and arranged my schedule to drive down and have a look at the dog 1st hand.
As in most boxers, she was happy to see me and jumped up to say hi. There was approx. a 5 min greeting and then she walked away.  As she was walking away she let out a quick screech (not a yelp). I have personally never heard anything like this before.  After the screech she then arched her back and kept her head down towards the floor.  She then walked around in this position and started trembling.  She wouldn't lie down and looked to be very uncomfortable.  I felt around the dog's back, stomach, legs, hips neck and head...there was no reaction.  This was about 3pm. today.  In checking back the dog has now settled down and actually ate her dinner.
The dog is due for her yearly vaccination in May and is currently not on any flea treatment as this works in conjunction with the heart worm meds.(which starts in May)
I checked out the video and no, this is not similar, but thanks.
As I mentioned earlier, the dog was in pain, which resulted in her arching her back and keeping head down.
Have you ever seen anything like this before or can you give me suggestion as to how follow up on this with the Vet?

Answer
Hi Gary,

I can recall seeing similar symptoms in dogs that had a blockage from eating things they shouldn't have like the squeaker out of a dog toy, with a brain tumor, with a severe inner ear infection, going blind, poisoned, pinched nerves and severe parasite infestations just to name a few off the top of my head. The symptoms your mom's dog is exhibiting could be a lot of things. That is why testing is so important. The vet can keep guessing and trying medication or get down to business and find a diagnosis.If you go back to the same vet then I would ask if he did any blood work the first time the dog was brought in and if not why. If so what were the results ? If my memory serves me, it was about 4 months ago that you first contacted me about these issues, the vet first gave the dog antibiotics and something for an upset stomach, right ? But said the blood work was fine. This I find strange, why give the dog antibiotics if nothing was found ? The symptoms have only worsen and the vet has no diagnosis up to this point. The dog is clearly in pain.I personally would seek additional tests, blood work, toxicology screen and ultrasound or MRI/CAT SCAN. If the vet could not find the diagnosis I would seek an additional opinion preferably from a college of veterinary medicine, as these doctors and students seem to have the best interest of the dogs and animals and the momentum to find the diagnosis instead of monetary gain.The college can ask for the tests results by your vet to be sent to them so those tests need not be done again. If I still didn't get the diagnosis I would consider euthanasia to relieve the dog's suffering and pain as a last resort. Please keep me updated.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
http://www.hitowerboxers.com